memo_logo.png

 

May is AAPI Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and lasting legacies of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. These communities have helped build this country, often while enduring exclusion, violence, and erasure. At Progressive Maryland we stand with AAPI communities in the fight for justice, visibility, and safety.

 

Be sure to check out our new section, AAPI Spotlight, where we’ll be highlighting local AAPI-owned businesses across the state throughout the month.

 

At the same time, Trump is sowing chaos on the national level — from attacks on Medicaid to extreme proposals aimed at undermining immigrant rights, like suspending habeas corpus, a core legal protection. As his agenda gets more dangerous, we're staying vigilant and doubling down on our work here in Maryland. That means organizing harder than ever this spring and summer to protect working families and marginalized communities across our state, including rural and immigrant communities who face systemic barriers to power and representation.

 

Read on for important updates, action items, and news you can use.

 

In solidarity,

The Progressive Maryland Team



 
 

Here’s what’s in today’s memo:

  • Quick Actions
  • AAPI Month
  • Campaign Updates
  • Events From Allies
  • State & National News
 

QUICK ACTIONS:

 

Tell UnitedHealthcare: Approve William’s Care Now

 

One of our members, Richard, is fighting for his son William, who has been living in a long term care facility since 2019. William recently suffered a serious health crisis and after being treated in the hospital and released his doctors prescribed 90 days of rehab. UnitedHealthcare has refused to cover his care five different times now. William deserves better! Add your name to demand UHC approve the care he needs.

 

Sign the petition
 

🌸 AAPI Spotlight:

 

Maryland’s AAPI community is a vibrant, vital part of our state, with over 400,000 residents and strong representation in government, advocacy, and small business. AAPI-owned businesses generate over half of all minority business revenue in the state.


Each week this month, we’ll be spotlighting local AAPI-owned businesses and programs. This week, we're celebrating some of the incredible food spots that highlight the diversity and creativity of our AAPI neighbors:


🍨 Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream & Treats (Montgomery County)
 Small-batch, all-natural ice cream made with local ingredients — including custom cakes, pies, and even pup-friendly treats! Everything is made in-house at their Bethesda shops.


🍛 Uncle’s Hawaiian Grindz (Harford County)
 Chef Kaimana Chee brings traditional Polynesian, Hawaiian, and Asian flavors to Bel Air. The restaurant welcomes you like family — or ohana — and serves up a taste of the islands.


🍜 Bodhi (Baltimore City – Hampden & Federal Hill)
 This family-owned Thai restaurant has earned accolades for a reason. With bold curries, noodles, and fried rice, Bodhi offers an authentic experience in two beloved neighborhoods.


Support these spots, share them with your network, and join us in uplifting AAPI voices all month long.

Task Forces & Issue Campaigns Updates: 

Healthcare Task Force: 

 

Fight Back: StopThe Proposed Budget Cuts to Medicaid: Medicaid is a Lifeline!

 

The next two weeks are critical for keeping up the pressure on Republicans in the House. A vote is planned on their awful budget proposal next week. The calls, emails, town halls and protests are working and some GOP Members are expressing concern about making catastrophic cuts to the Medicaid program which  covers about 80 million Americans. Here’s what you can do now:

The choice of budget priorities is clear: The House can stand with seniors living in nursing homes, people with disabilities, children, and families who can’t afford to get health care services without some financial aid, and with healthcare workers and clinics. Or they can do the bidding of Trump and Musk who want to break Medicaid in order to get their hands on billions of our taxpayer dollars for their billionaire friends and donors. Please join the Fight Back!

 

 

Returning Citizens Task Force:

 

Join our Returning Citizens Task Force on Sunday, May 18, for a powerful evening with Ketu Olawadu — a poet and former death row inmate whose life and art speak to the deep injustices of incarceration. Now turning 80, Ketu is on a poetry tour rooted in his journey from prison to purpose. The event at Creative Suitland will also feature author Caroline Brewer, singer/storyteller Dr. Karen Wilson-Ama’Echefu, and percussionist Abasi Johnson. Don’t miss this moving celebration of resilience, justice, and creativity.

 

Click here to register.

Housing Justice: Join Us in Rockville for a Citywide Day of Action!

 

On Saturday, May 24, we’re leading a citywide Day of Action to demand real rent stabilization in Rockville and we need you on the ground with us.

 

We’re proud to be hosting multiple actions, including canvassing, community outreach, and lawn sign distribution. These are powerful ways to make our movement visible and connect with neighbors who care about affordable, stable housing. Whether you join us for an hour or stay all day, your voice matters.

 

Huntington Tenant Association Canvass

Knock doors with our tenant leaders at King Farm and help build momentum for rent stabilization across Rockville.

📍 Meet at the Huntington at King Farm leasing office

🕙 10 AM – 2 PM

Sign up here →

 

Hometown Holidays Outreach
 Join us at Rockville Town Center during the Hometown Holidays festival to hand out flyers and talk with residents about rent stabilization.
📍 Rockville Town Center
 🕛 12 PM – 3 PM
 Sign up here →

 

Twinbrook Canvass (Hosted by MoCo DSA)
 Support our allies at Montgomery County DSA as they canvas the Twinbrook neighborhood with yard signs and flyers.
📍 Meet at Twinbrook Metro Station
 🕛 12 PM – 3 PM
 Sign up here →

 

Let’s show up strong for housing justice.
 

Events From Allies:

Rally for Birthright Citizenship 

Join CASA and immigrant rights activists this Thursday, May 15, at 10 AM in front of the Supreme Court as justices hear CASA v. Trump — a case that could threaten the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. Now is the time to show up and defend this fundamental protection. Bring your signs, energy, and voice to stand for immigrant families.

 

📍 1 1st St NE, Washington, DC

👉 RSVP here
 

News You Can Use: How to hold the guardrails firm on health care

 

As the House of Representatives takes out the knife for public health care -- mostly Medicaid -- Maryland and other states brace for a major struggle. Maryland needs Medicaid, for sure, but some Red states in the South REALLY, REALLY need Medicaid, and that could split the already fractious GOP House majority further. How to fight back? Stories. Yep, stories; lots of folks have stories about how Medicaid helped them stave off financial and family collapse. See how you can help And there's lots more -- child care support freeze and big federal cuts, including at UM, here in Maryland; AI bills by (just barely) the thousands in 50 state legislatures this year, the fired chief of the Library of Congress is replaced by one of Trump's criminal lawyers, and more. It's News You Can Use.
 
 
 

Don't forget to follow us on social media!
Facebook Twitter Instagram TikTok YouTube

 

Progressive Maryland
P.O. Box 6988
Largo, MD 20792